Scientists to Present Data and Discuss Emerging Advances in Basic
Research and Clinical Science at Neuroscience 2007 Satellite
Symposium

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., November 01, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
The human brain relies on chemicals called "neurotransmitters" that
nerve cells use to communicate to one another, in order to maintain
a wide range of cognitive functions including memory and attention.
Based on a growing body of scientific knowledge related to
neurotransmitters, the scientific community is now targeting
neuronal nicotinic receptors (NNRs), found on nerve cells
throughout the central nervous system, to treat a number of
psychiatric and neurological disorders. NNRs, also known as
neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), modulate the
release of several important neurotransmitters, such as
acetylcholine and dopamine.

Abbott researchers are currently developing selective NNR
compounds, which act as agonists (drugs that stimulate activity at
cell receptors) at specific NNR sites in the body, for
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer's disease,
schizophrenia and pain -- conditions for which there are still
significant unmet needs in spite of available treatment options.
Scientists from independent academic institutions and Abbott will
present data on these compounds at the Neuroscience 2007 satellite
symposium entitled "Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as
Therapeutic Targets: Emerging Frontiers in Basic Research and
Clinical Science." The meeting takes place Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 at the
San Diego Convention Center, preceding the annual meeting of the
Society for Neuroscience.

"While many advances have been made in the treatment of
neurobehavioral disorders, considerable unmet medical need still
exists," said Timothy Wilens, M.D., associate professor of
Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. "NNR agonist compounds have the
tremendous potential of improving the core and associated symptoms
of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder without apparently
producing cardiovascular effects and other more common side effects
such as insomnia and appetite suppression observed with current
treatments."

"Preclinical and clinical data support the potential of NNR
agonists to alleviate the cognitive deficits associated with a
variety of disorders, as well as pain," said James Sullivan, Ph.D.,
divisional vice president, Neuroscience Discovery, Abbott. "Abbott
has significant experience in this area and has been among the
leaders in advancing the understanding of the therapeutic potential
of NNRs for more than a decade. Our scientists have been at the
forefront of identifying selective NNR agonists and have published
more than 75 research studies in this area."

Abbott Neuroscience

Building on the company's strong scientific foundation in
neuroscience and pain, Abbott has significant research and
development efforts underway to investigate new therapeutic
approaches to cognitive disorders, such as attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
Abbott also is investigating new therapies for nociceptive pain
conditions such as osteoarthritis and cancer pain, as well as
neuropathic pain conditions such as diabetic neuropathy.

The following investigational programs are examples of Abbott's
broad portfolio of neuroscience and pain care research. These
programs include and extend beyond NNR therapeutics:

Alpha 4 Beta 2 NNR Agonist Program

ABT-089 is a partial and selective NNR agonist, which targets
the Alpha 4 Beta 2 NNR subtype. It has demonstrated efficacy in
preclinical models of attention, learning and memory deficits. It
also has demonstrated efficacy in improving the core symptoms of
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults. ABT-089 is
currently in Phase II clinical trials for adult attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder and is being studied for other cognitive
diseases.

ABT-894 is an NNR agonist, which targets the Alpha 4 Beta 2 NNR
subtype. It has demonstrated efficacy in multiple preclinical
animal models of neuropathic pain and nociceptive pain with and
without an inflammatory component. ABT-894 exhibits high affinity
for and full functional efficacy at the Alpha 4 Beta 2 NNR subtype.
Similar to other NNR agonists, it also has demonstrated a cognitive
enhancing profile in pre-clinical models of cognition. ABT-894 is
currently in Phase II clinical trials for adult attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder and diabetic neuropathic pain. This compound
was discovered in collaboration with NeuroSearch.

Alpha 7 NNR Agonist Program

ABT-107 promises to be a potent and selective NNR agonist, which
targets the Alpha 7 NNR subtype. It has demonstrated efficacy in in
vivo studies that model memory consolidation, social recognition
memory, working memory, and sensory gating deficits, which are
domains of cognition negatively impacted in Alzheimer's disease and
schizophrenia. ABT-107 is currently in Phase I clinical trials for
a variety of central nervous system disorders. This compound was
discovered in collaboration with NeuroSearch.

D3 Receptor Antagonist Program

In addition to the focus on NNR research, Abbott has an
aggressive pre-clinical and clinical program evaluating selective
D3 receptor antagonists. D3 receptors are expressed in brain
regions associated with schizophrenia, and most current
antipsychotics bind to D3 receptors. However, current antipsychotic
medications are non-selective for the D3 receptors and have little
effect on negative symptoms (i.e., apathy, lack of emotion, poor or
nonexistent social functioning) or on cognitive deficits (i.e.,
disorganized thoughts, difficulty concentrating and/or following
instructions, difficulty completing tasks, memory problems).

Abbott's pre-clinical, selective D3 compounds show high potency
and selectivity for D3 receptors and have demonstrated efficacy in
a number of preclinical models assessing antipsychotic efficacy. In
preclinical studies, they do not induce secondary negative
symptoms, extrapyramidal side effects (physical symptoms that can
occur in individuals taking antipsychotic medications) or
neuroendocrine disturbances associated with current agents.

ABT-925 promises to be a potent and selective dopamine D3
receptor antagonist, currently in early Phase II clinical trials
for schizophrenia. The pharmacological profile of ABT-925 suggests
that it will be differentiated from current antipsychotic agents by
a broad range of therapeutic efficacy and diminished on-target and
off-target (e.g. D2, H1 and Alpha 1 adrenoceptor) side effects.

TRPV1 Receptor Program

The TRPV1, or vanilloid receptor, plays an important role in
mediating the body's response to a variety of pain stimuli,
including heat and changes in pH levels, as well as a variety of
mediators of inflammation that are released in the body following
tissue damage. Abbott has identified a number of compounds that may
have the ability to elicit relief across a broad spectrum of pain
states. The lead compounds have demonstrated efficacy comparable to
morphine across a number of different pre-clinical pain models --
including osteoarthritis, post-operative and cancer pain.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to
the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of
pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals,
devices and diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and
markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on
the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com.